It would be wonderful to have a dining room table that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Building one yourself is an option, but if you don't have master carpentry skills, you may have decided it's too daunting a task. Fortunately, there are some relatively simple and inexpensive options for creating a dining table yourself using just a few materials.
Tile-Top Table
Create two bases for either end of the table, which are simple frames the table will rest on. Cut 2-by- 4s into pieces that will make a box, with one or two diagonal beams crossing the inside of the box frame for stability. Hammer nails to secure the pieces of the box end frames together.
When cutting the wood to your preferred height, keep in mind that a comfortable dining table height is about 29 to 30 inches from the floor to the top of the table, including the tabletop.
Attach a 4-by-8 piece of 1-inch-thick plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF) to the tops of the bases. Make it removable for moving, storage or cleaning by securing it with heavy-duty metal corner brackets.
To make the tile top, start by collecting tiles or tile pieces from building supply stores, salvage yards or garage sales, depending on whether you want a square-tile look or a mosaic effect. Paint the top of the table with a primer used to prepare surfaces for ceramic tile, available from craft and hardware stores.
After the primer has cured, put all your tiles on the table in a pattern you like to make sure they fit well. Remove them, and glue your edge and perimeter tiles down first with a high-quality construction adhesive. Starting from the center, glue the rest of the tiles down, working your way to the edges. Wait a few days for the glue to set, then grout between the tiles with a sanded grout, followed by a sealer.
Table from an Old Door
Rescue a wood panel door and four table legs from a salvage yard, recycler or Habitat for Humanity Store. Clean them thoroughly with a wood cleaner. Screw the table legs to one side of the door at each corner. Place decorative wrapping paper, scrapbook paper or old maps inside the panels, cut to fit snugly so no glue is required.
Top the door with a 3/8-inch sheet of tempered glass, available at an auto repair shop. The glass is heavy enough that it shouldn't slide out of place, but you can use thin rubber "feet" between the door and the glass at each corner. Change the paper inserts for the seasons, holidays or special occasions.
Tags: building supply, dining table, each corner, table legs,